Do I need more patience, cuz it's NOT working?!?!

[kimberdougl5]

I have 3 hens (15mos old) with a DEFINITE pecking order. I'm introducing 3 new chicks(12 wks old). I've increased my coop size with ways to divide to allow for see/don't touch. I can block off 3 different areas to allow for both groups to move without contact.
One of my new chicks turns out to be a JERK of a Cockerel. He won't allow his pullets off the roof of their shelter, so I've put food and water up there for them if I'm not there to "manage"... I've tried putting him in with the hens to "teach him his size" and they TEAR HIM UP. I now shoo him out of all areas in the morning and let him forage in the yard so that his Sistas catch a break, and he doesn't get his tail tore up.
I've added roosting bars in the hens area and have put the Littles on that roost at night...the hens run them out.
All of this has been going on for a month. It seems WORSE not better. My hens are stressed and off their laying, and with only 3 hens, that's a BIG deal.
So...any ideas? Trust me, I've scoured hundreds of posts on this site, and I've tried pretty much every suggestion. Would sending this Cockerel down the road help? I won't keep him in the long run anyways since he's not gonna EVER give me what I want...EGGS!!!

 

[MrFluffyandGirls]

My 1st set of chickens never did really accept the new comers and I ended up building a separate pen for them. So I can understand your anguish but I cant give mush advise since I could not trust to leave mine together unless they're out free ranging; then it's back to their own areas in the evenings.
I always end up getting rid of roosters because I don't keep enough hens for the rooster /hen ratio and they run them to death with their sex crazed hormones. Not mention I've never had a rooster that did not try to spur me and I don't like being attacked.
I hope you find a solution, I defiantly feel for you.

 

[LaFleche]

Your coop and run look cute, but I think are much too small to provide the necessary space for a safe introduction of three youngsters that need to have the opportunity to get out of the way and out of sight.

 

[kimberdougl5]

YES!!! MrFluffy and Girls....this is EXACTLY how I'm feeling about it all. I have no use for a rooster cuz I'm not trying to make chicks, not do I want enough hens to keep him happy. This one falls asleep in my arms when I hold him...but I know those days are coming to an end. Meanwhile, I'm holding pullets in 1 arm and a 10 lb hen in the other commanding they "BE NICE"!! Lort. I've lost my mind

 

[kimberdougl5]

YES!!! MrFluffy and Girls....this is EXACTLY how I'm feeling about it all. I have no use for a rooster cuz I'm not trying to make chicks, not do I want enough hens to keep him happy. This one falls asleep in my arms when I hold him...but I know those days are coming to an end. Meanwhile, I'm holding pullets in 1 arm and a 10 lb hen in the other commanding they "BE NICE"!! Lort. I've lost my mind

Your coop and run look cute, but I think are much too small to provide the necessary space for a safe introduction of three youngsters that need to have the opportunity to get out of the way and out of sight.

Hen C

Your coop and run look cute, but I think are much too small to provide the necessary space for a safe introduction of three youngsters that need to have the opportunity to get out of the way and out of sight.


Hen Coop is 5'x10' with a hatch to the run which is 15'x20'. The "chicks area" is 8'x10'. I rarely let the hens into the chicks pen. Mostly they use their own coop and run. I have tried allowing them all out to forage, but that dadgum little rooster runs his 2 Sistas back in and up on their box. If I don't separate him out, they'll stay on that box 24/7...
Anyhoot, that's a lot of area for 6 chickens, don't ya think?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Are there parts of this set up we are not seeing?

My eyes may be old but spacial relations between birds in pic and walls of coop and run say that coop and run in the photo are to small.

 

[keesmom]

I have to add my vote to the coop/run is too small to add additional birds. Also, process/give away the cockerel.

 

[kimberdougl5]

Hen Coop is 5'x10', chick area is 8'x10', run (accessed by hatch in hen Coop) is 15'x20'. Plus they are given yard time to forage...

 

[kimberdougl5]

Your coop and run look cute, but I think are much too small to provide the necessary space for a safe introduction of three youngsters that need to have the opportunity to get out of the way and out of sight.

Somewhere in this thread I replied with the dimensions of all areas...excuse my FRUSTRATING slow DSL

 

[Mrs. K]

There must be parts we can't see.

Try this, the rooster needs to go. Then, let the hens out to free range, so to speak, put the chicks where you want them to be in the hen set up. This will allow them to explore the area and get comfortable in the area without being harassed. Do add a couple of feed stations, but while the chicks are in there, feed along the fence. Put the hens, where you had the chicks.

Next add one hen to the chicks, yes she will chase them, but if you have a few hideouts, and there are more chicks, this game will soon wear out - say 3-4 days, at that time, add one more hen. Now, of the pair of hens left, one might be easier if so use that one. A squirt gun can kind of discourage any tag teaming, and then last add the last bird.

The other solution, that actually might work best, is pin-less peepers on the hens, have them wear them for a month, and by then it should be a go.

Mrs K